In a statement, non-official members of the Executive Council, the city’s top political advisory body to the chief executive, said they backed the government’s decision to ease the tense atmosphere in the community

In a statement, non-official
members of the Executive Council, the city’s top political advisory body to the
chief executive, said they backed the government’s decision to ease the tense
atmosphere in the community.

The council members will
continue to offer full support for the chief executive, and will call on the
public to express views in a calm and rational manner, the statement reads.
This is to safeguard the “civilized, free, open and pluralistic society of Hong
Kong”. Following the government's announcement, the Business and Professionals
Alliance for Hong Kong expressed support and understanding for the suspension.

The alliance said it hopes
the government will thoroughly explain the bill to different sectors and listen
to their opinions. The alliance also urged communities not to use violent or
radical means to express views, and called on them to safeguard the city's
social order and rule of law together.

Meanwhile, the government’s
decision also has received support from Safeguard HK and Support the Surrender
of Fugitive Offenders Legislation, a cross-sector local alliance comprising
prominent political, business and legal figures.

In a statement issued on
Saturday, its representative expressed understanding of the government’s
decision, saying the alliance will continue to give suggestions to the
government and brief the public about the amendments.

Members of the New Millenarian display slogans supporting police officers' law enforcement action outside the North Point Police Station on June 15, 2019 in the wake of the violent clashes between radical demonstrators protesting against the government's extradition bill and police on Wednesday. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

The alliance hopes the
government will comprehensively heed different views in society towards the
bill and thoroughly discuss it with the public.

The Hong Kong General Chamber
of Commerce, one of the city’s most influential business groups, also welcomed
the suspension.

In a statement issued on
Saturday, the chamber’s Chairman Aron Harilela said the move will “allow things
to cool down and let everyone return to rational debate”.

The chamber looks forward to
the government continuing to engage in constructive discussions with
stakeholders and the public, in a bid to eliminate doubts about the bill, the
chairman said.

The proposed amendments to
the Fugitive Offenders and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinances
were scheduled to be tabled at a full Legislative Council meeting for a second
reading on Wednesday.

The meeting had to be
cancelled after protests against the bill outside LegCo that day, which later
morphed into a riot and paralyzed the city’s main administrative and business
area.

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